Examining multifaceted constraints to just transitioning agenda in Africa: integrating sustainable social and economic perspectives into policy framework

Richard Kwame Adom (), Paul Mukoki (), Nomhle Ngwenya () and Mulala Danny Simatele ()
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Richard Kwame Adom: University of Witwatersrand
Paul Mukoki: University of Witwatersrand
Nomhle Ngwenya: University of Witwatersrand
Mulala Danny Simatele: University of Witwatersrand

International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, 2025, vol. 25, issue 4, No 6, 639-667

Abstract: Abstract Africa as a block has developed great interest and potential to achieve just transition and low carbon economic growth. Despite the growing political commitment to the green economy and its rich natural capital endowment, the region lags behind other continents in many green growth dimensions, particularly the infusions of its vast natural resources into green economic opportunities. Furthermore, attracting funding from the private sector and international financial institutions to drive a just transition that stimulates the economic and social livelihoods of the population has stalled on the continent. Using a well-calculated multidisciplinary data collection approach of qualitative and extensive literature review, this paper explores the social, economic, environmental, and political factors hindering the smooth transition of the continent to a just transition and green economy of an equitable and sustainable future. Our findings uncovered that shifting to just transition to meet sustainable socio-economic growth on the continent is complex, with multifaceted challenges and a threat to the national developmental agenda of most countries. Moreover, implementing the policies of the just transition and green economic programmes on the continent is stalled by the dearth of technical and human capacity, inadequate infrastructure, funding gaps, institutional inertia, high perceived investment risk, as well as weak and ambiguous regulations in most countries. We proposed integrating just transition principles into national development frameworks of countries, promoting green entrepreneurs and intensifying renewable energy adaptation in a manner that protects the livelihoods of the population that depends on traditional energy sources.

Keywords: Just transition; Renewable energy; Sustainable development; Green economy; Africa; Community participation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s10784-025-09684-y

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